It's time for my annual post to help support those of you who are auditioning for Wyoming All-State Band! This year's audition information can be found here, and underneath this text is my demonstration video for all three (2 flute, 1 piccolo) excerpts.
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Some things to keep in mind...
In the "slow" excerpt (Kohler, pg. 10), I suggest marking all of the 8th note beats in your music and practicing 100% of the time with the metronome--these rhythms are quite varied! Only after you feel very confident that your rhythms are correct should you start to turn the metronome off and work that ending, where you are allowed a slight rallentando.
In the "fast" excerpt (Karg-Elert, pg. 25), don't let your ears assume what note is coming next; this piece is not quite in a major or minor key, but rather in Karg-Elert's own harmonic flavor. Go very, very slowly at first, staring at each note as you play it, checking back with the key signature and also being mindful of any accidentals in front of specific notes. If you're uncomfortable playing in sharps, keep your fingering chart next to your music while you learn the enharmonic spellings. Not sure if you're playing the right notes despite all of this special attention to detail? Record yourself (your phone is fine!) and compare it to my playing. Circle any notes that sound different and go back and read them more carefully. Mark any reminders you need in your music.
If you choose to learn the piccolo excerpt (Bach, pg. 21), don't worry too much about the dynamic contrast or you may end up with notes that don't speak. Practice everything at a comfortable mezzo forte for a while, then do what you can to shift forward more for the pianos. Keep the tongue light and simple to ensure that it lines up with fingers; try a "too" rather than a "tut" articulation.
Good luck and have fun!!!
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Mastering Your Practice: Nitty Gritty
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